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Multigenerational travel is all the rage and there is proof to show it. In Forbes article The Hottest Trends In Boomer Travel, there is a strong highlight on the financial investment multigenerational travelers are making.

According to top travel companies, multigenerational family travel accounts for more than 10 percent of their entire business. Dan Austin, director of Austin-Lehman Adventures, says they’ve seen a tenfold increase in custom trips in recent years. “Groups range in size from as few as four to as many as 24 family members,” he says.

In 2013, the average US traveler spending roughly $1,145 (according to the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker). This means average families are spending anywhere from $4,580 to $27,480. Now, most families do not have bottomless bank accounts, and I know that investment is one worth protecting.

Choosing travel protection for your multigenerational travel group does not have to be a stressful experience. There are key things you should be looking for when purchasing travel protection. You do not want to get denied a claim because there was not a clear understanding of the products and plans available to you.

Often times, when travelers get an online quote for products, they bypass the heavy reading in hopes of saving themselves some time. This action can really cost you. One thing that our customer service department always stresses to travelers is to make sure they are reading their state specific certificate (it’s the paperwork that tells you every individual thing you are covered for). Boring, but necessary.

If you do not understand something in the certificate, give us a call and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can even tweet @TravelSafeIns if you can’t or just don’t like making the phone call. It is better to reach out and clear the air than to assume you are receiving a benefit.

Something to always consider when you are booking your trip, and debating your travel insurance, is the 21 day window. When you make your initial trip deposit (an initial trip deposit meaning the day you put money down and choose a set date for travel plans), you are eligible to receive a wider range in coverage if you purchase travel insurance within 21 days.

With multigenerational travel, it usually means a group is traveling with grandparents. While every traveler could potentially have a change in their health, those is older generations are more prone to sudden changes in health and medications. After 21 days of the initial trip deposit, travelers are no longer eligible for this benefit and that can be a real doozie. If Grandma gets ill 18 days before vacation, the doctor puts her on medication, she gets to her destination and realizes the medication is making her ill, her travel protection may not be able to cover that pre-existing condition. So, travelers should play it safe on that one and pay attention to the 21 day window.

Another benefit travelers are only eligible for 21 days within initial trip deposit is Cancel For Any Reason. Yes, you can only purchase Cancel For Any Reason if you purchase your travel protection 21 days from your initial trip deposit.

If you are purchasing Cancel for Any Reason, make sure you cover the entire cost of your trip. You only qualify for Cancel For Any Reason is only granted when you protect your entire travel investment.

Check into the kinds of activities you are going to be partaking in. While some travel protection may cover ziplining, it probably isn’t going to cover sky diving. Sorry grandma!

So don’t just do multigenerational travel, do multigenerational travel protection as well. Wow, what a tongue twister. Get a quick quote for travel protection here and don’t forget to follow us on twitter @TravelSafeIns.

Last month we talked about questions that surround the selling of travel protection and, how many may think its a waste. But, rest assured the goal of TravelSafe is to look after you and your Family. The article shed some light on how we are in the business of protecting and we really have the best interest of travelers in mind when creating our line of travel protection products. But where does that leave you? This time, I am going to focus on providing you with a few ideas on inspiring your clients to consider travel protection.

Travel protection is a very unique form of insurance. Unlike auto and medical, it is not legally mandated to have and while awareness surrounding the need for travel protection is rising, it seems to be towards the bottom of the insurance market food chain. We know it’s because travel protection is not required. Here at TravelSafe we are happy about that because we actually want travelers to want to purchase our product (mind blowing, I know). Travel protection is also a fairly new product across the globe when compared to its brothers and sisters.

So many travelers have yet to understand the positive qualities in protecting their travel investments. With travel protection they can embark on their voyage, knowing they have coverage if unfavorable circumstances arise. You would think knowing the risks that go along with traveling would motivate your clients to protect their travel investment, but sometimes they need to be provided with a little perspective. I guess that is why we are the insurers and the rest are the insured. We focus on risk management so others can focus on fun and relaxation. The fact is, most travelers do not think the worst could happen when they are gearing up to have the time of their lives.

So what do you do? How do you get your clients to gain awareness and understanding around the need for travel insurance without casting a dark shadow over their booking experience?

You Provide Them with Knowledge

Giving your clients information on travel protection, in a way which is easy for them to understand, is going to be beneficial to both the traveler and yourself. Let them know they have options but not it a way that overwhelms them.

When I go to the grocery store after work, I have already made 20-30 decisions throughout the day. I don’t want to be overloaded with the choice between 57 different spaghetti sauces. While it is nice to know there are 57 different choices, I am going to choose one quickly that is most relatable to my experience with spaghetti sauce. Oh, homemade basil? Yes, please! Check out.

It is the same for your clients during their travel booking process. They are already planning their vacation, which already involves a lot of decisions (most of which are exciting). They don’t want to feel overloaded with insurance information in a way that feels unrelatable.

Which leads me to my next point.

Tell a Story

Everyone loves a good story, with good reason. We want to feel human, we want to relate to others. This is especially so in any buying process. There are so many products and a ton of information in the world, it is easy to feel like a number. If your client begins to feel like just another number in the insurance market, they will lose interest quickly.

Chances are, you have known a traveler that has lost on their travel investment because they were not properly insured. You also probably know someone who was able to protect their travel investment because they did their homework and got themselves suitable coverage. Tell those stories. If your client can relate to loss, protection and risk, they will better understand why travel protection is a good investment.

Ask a Question

Asking your clients the right questions, in regards to travel protection, will help them better understand the possibilities without making them defensive. If you tell your client their medicare coverage doesn’t apply overseas, it may make them feel as though they are in need of defending the coverage they have, even if it isn’t adequate. It is better to ask questions and help your client come to the realization there is a need for travel protection than it is to tell them they are wrong in their assumptions.

You Empower Them

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. Cliche, I know, but this can have more than one meaning. You can lead your client to their dream vacation, but you cannot make them have the perfect trip. You cannot stop the clouds from moving in or the hurricane from landing on their destination’s door. Really, protecting their dream vacation is up to them, just like enjoying the sand between their toes is.

Shine light on how travel protection is a way to ensure they are traveling safe and securing their investment. When we are proactive in our lives, we put the what ifs behind us and take one step towards enjoy each moment for what it is and that is a good feeling.

Check out this infographic that can clear the air on travel protection

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Are you concerned about safety on your next vacation? TravelSafe Travel Insurance Agency suggests the following Safety Traveling Tips. Wondering what you can do to prevent theft? While most hotels are safe and secure, it is important to be mindful of your surroundings and take the proper steps to protect yourself.

Here are 6 quick tips to keep you safe before and during your holiday travels:

1. Do your homework before you book your hotel room. You want to make sure your hotel is located in a safe area and takes the proper security measures. In addition to looking at rates and amenities, it’s important to ask the hotel management key security questions. For example, is the hotel in an upscale neighborhood or business district? Is there a police station nearby? Do they have a doorman or security guard? Is their front desk staffed 24 hours a day? These are questions that hotel should be happy to answer.

2. Don’t take a room on the ground floor. These rooms are more likely to be burglarized. This is especially important if the doors and windows of the room are open to the outside.

3. Keep your door locked at all time. This may sound like a “gimme”, but stay diligent about locking the door behind you. It’s also important to lock the deadbolt.

4. When entering or leaving the hotel at night, make sure to use the front entrance. The front entrance is usually the most well-lit and usually under surveillance.

5. Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you must leave items in your car, cover them with a blanket or put them in your trunk.

6. Include travel insurance in your vacations plans. Unfortunately, we can’t predict the future. We don’t know whether our flight will be delayed or if we need to seek medical attention while traveling. Travel insurance can provide protection if your belongings are lost, damaged or stolen. To find out everything that travel insurance covers, click here.

Tell us, what steps do you take to stay safe while traveling? Leave a comment below, write on our Facebook page or Tweet us to share your suggestions with other travelers.

Travel Insurance needs to be purchased at the right time to reap all of the benefits

TravelSafe Insurance agency would like to emphasize that time is a major factor when making a decision about purchasing travel insurance. That why we recommend purchasing travel insurance at the time you book your trip or very soon after. This is important because travel insurance policies include time-sensitive provisions which can broaden your coverage if you purchase the insurance very early during your travel plans.

In fact, if you purchase travel insurance within 21 days of the date you make the initial payment for your trip, your travel insurance coverage will provide protection for bankruptcy or insolvency of your travel supplier, include the waiving of the Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion, and allows you to qualify for the Cancel for Any Reason Benefit if it is included in your plan.

Remember, purchasing your travel insurance within 21 days of booking your trip will allow you to receive broader coverage at the same price if you purchase with final payment. This simply means you will pay the same amount for the same plan, but qualify for things such as the Pre-Exisiting Conditions Waiver and Bankruptcy or Insolvency.

If you have any questions about these time-sensitive provisions or travel insurance in general, we can help. Leave a comment with your question below, Tweet us, write on our Facebook timeline or call us at 888-885-7233.

The Ebola outbreak According to the CDC, there have been a total of 1848 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and 1013 deaths, as of August 9, 2014.

If you are concerned about the Ebola outbreak affecting your next vacation, travel insurance can help. Our travel insurance plans provide coverage if you or your travel partner contract the Ebola virus before or during your travel. Coverage includes emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation and protection against quarantine. In fact, our policies do not include exclusions for epidemics or pandemics.

In addition, if you would like to cancel your trip due to a fear of contracting the virus, please consider purchasing our Classic Plus plan with Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

If you have any questions about travel insurance and how it can provide coverage for you, your travel plans and investment, call us at 1-800-555-9095 or email us at info@travelsafe.com. We look forward to speaking with you.

Planning your honeymoon can be just as stressful as planning your wedding. You have to decide if you and your partner want to relax on the beach, explore a new city or both. Do you want to go abroad or vacation in the States? How many days will you travel? Answering these questions will help you and yours plan the perfect honeymoon. We’ve got the top destinations for your honeymoon. Help contribute your vote for the best honeymoon spot by leaving a comment below, writing on our Facebook timeline or tweeting us.

Maui is one of the top honeymoon destinations because the wide range of activities available. Whether you’re interested in relaxing at a world-class spa, dining at great restaurants, hiking or spending your days at the beach, Maui offers it all.

Florence is an amazing city for a European honeymoon. You can see some of the world’s finest architecture and art after enjoying unbeatable pasta and gelato. Don’t forget to stop by the Galleria dell’ Accademia, too.

San Diego offers beaches and a city to explore. With warm weather and endless outdoor activities, San Diego is the perfect place for you and yours to escape for a week.

New York City is the perfect honeymoon destination for a couple who enjoy fast-paced vacations.The city that never sleeps always something going on. If you’re interested in seeing a captivating play, indulging in great food and drinks or enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city, while being able to escape to Central Park, New York City is the perfect choice for you.

We all want a perfect photo to remember our vacation. Follow these tips for taking a great travel photo and make your memories last a lifetime.

1. Pay attention to the light. According to most photographers, the light is best when the sun is low in the sky. This means try to capture your photos in the first hour or so after the sun rises and the last hour or so before it sets. If you can’t take your photos during that time, don’t worry, you can still get a great photo. Just make sure the light is not directly behind your subject.

2. Communicate. If you’re taking a picture of a person you don’t know, ask for their permission first – especially if you’re in a foreign country. It can also help to get a sense of the person and capture their spirit in your photo.

3. Take in your scenery. Before you start snapping away, take a step back and get a sense for the scenery around you. It will help you get a sense of your surroundings and find the best shot.

4. Go for bright colors. Our eyes are naturally drawn to bright colors, so if the sky is especially bright or the grass is greener than usual, make sure to include that in your photo.

5. Angle the camera down. When taking a picture of people, it’s important that it’s a flattering picture. This especially rings true for selfies. Hold your phone at a 45 degree angle and snap away!

With these tips, you’ll be taking photos like a pro in no time! We want to see your favorite travel photo! Post it on our Facebook page or tweet it. We can’t wait to see your vacation photos!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Upgrade from the typical box of chocolates and red roses to a romantic getaway for you and your loved one.

Whether you enjoy getting lost in a big city or the great outdoors, there’s a place for you and yours to escape for the weekend. Sweep your loved one off their feet with a surprise vacation to one of these domestic destinations:

Wine aficionados and beginners alike will appreciate California’s wine country. With picturesque views, relaxing resorts and delicious wines, Valentine’s Day travelers will not be disappointed. Stay at Bardesseno for a truly luxurious getaway.

A trip to the Big Apple can be exciting for Valentine’s Day. You and yours can ice skate at Rockefeller Center, take a carriage ride through Central Park or visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the holiday.

Cape Cod is a favorite romantic weekend destination for Easterners. They flock to the city outside of Boston for its laid-back atmosphere and fresh seafood. Find out what the East Coast is buzzing about by making a weekend trip to Cape Cod.

If you travel just north of Phoenix, you’ll see the Red Rocks of Sedona. The city is home to some world-class resorts such as L’Auberge and Amara. This location is perfect if you want to kick back, relax and enjoy the company of your loved one.

This Midwest city offers great food and exciting activities. During the week of February 11, the city will celebrate Chicago Theatre Week. More than 100 productions featuring the city’s greatest talent will be showed at participating theaters. This year, area hotels will be offering a Chicago Theatre Week package that includes a hotel room and pair of tickets to a production.

Tell us – which of these sound like the perfect getaway for you and your loved one? Leave a comment below, write on our Facebook page or Tweet us. We look forward to hearing about your travel plans!

And don’t forget … to make sure your vacation is stress-free, add travel insurance to your plans. The travel insurance will protect you against illness, flight delays, cancellations, lost luggage and much more.

2014 is here! Although the countdown to midnight is behind us, we’re counting down the top 8 travel trends for the new year.

1. Domestic flight prices will drop (insert cheering here!). According to the American Express Global Business Travel Forecast 2014, “North American airfares are expected to decline in 2014 as a result of heightened competition from low cost carriers, challenging unemployment levels and corporate travel policies becoming more stringent in regard to business class travel.” Stable oil prices will also help keep costs down. Don’t hold your breath though. The pending consolidation of major U.S. airlines may offset these declines.

2. Brazil’s World Cup will cause a buzz with travelers. According to Brazil’s tourist board, the country is expecting approximately 10 million visitors for the World Cup – more than twice their normal amount of visitors. Why will this sporting event draw so many visitors? Soccer is growing in popularity in the United States and this World Cup will be the first global soccer championship held in South America in almost 40 years.

3. Multi-generational travel will grow. The family groups that started the trend have impressed their remaining kin with their Facebook postings and now everyone wants to join in the party. Watch for family reunions to reach upward toward 100 in the coming year; just be sure you’re booking every member of the clan, grab the whole piece of that pie.

4. Fewer European cruises will be available. According to Fodor’s, European ports will be much sleepier as soon as the summer season of 2014. Carnival, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Regent Seven Seas have either reduced their number of ships or pulled out of Europe all together. Fodor’s sites dwindling passengers rates as the reason cruise lines made the tough decision.

5. Travelers will share even more on social media. While this trend probably doesn’t surprise you, more travelers are turning to sites like Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter to not only plan their vacations, but to share their adventures and get tips from other travelers.

6. Free Wi-Fi will be more readily available. In 2013, you saw Wi-Fi offered in several hotels and airplanes. That number will continue to grow this year, with more airports, hotels and airlines offering free Wi-Fi to their customers.

7. Vacation rental homes will compete with traditional hotels. Sites like airbnb and VRBO offer travelers the opportunity to stay in spare rooms, apartments or even rent an entire home. This option can often save you money and offers the comforts of your own home.

8. Airlines in China and Singapore will have the largest price increases. According to Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s 2014 Travel Price Forecast, Asia Pacific carriers will continue to align with the three global alliances (EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia and SriLankan Airlines) in the new year, causing prices to increase.

It’s your turn to tell us – what are your travel-related predictions for 2014? Leave a comment below, share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Tweet us. We look forward to hearing your predictions and seeing if they come true!

Labor Day Weekend is here! If you’re still looking for activities to fill your holiday weekend, we’ve got you covered. From hot air balloons festivals to historical walking tours, here are five events that will keep you busy this holiday weekend.

Washington D.C.: On Sunday, Sept. 1, enjoy a free concert by the National Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. local time. The National Symphony Orchestra performs a free Labor Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol each year, the Sunday before Labor Day. This year’s theme is Americana with works by John Williams, Mark Isham and other composers with the Wild West as the theme.

Pine Mountain, Georgia: On Sunday, Sept. 1, the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival will fill the skies in Pine Mountain. If the Hot Air Balloon Festival doesn’t do it for you, there’s also a classic car show, disc dog demonstrations, a pyrotechnic skydiving demonstration, and a 5K Race event. See the entire schedule of events here.

Kansas City, Missouri: From Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, Kansas City celebrates Irish Fest. Irish music will be played on seven stages, and there are also workshops, exhibits and food throughout the festival. This year you’ll also be able to visit the Tourism Ireland Virtual Café, where you’ll be able to chat directly with someone in Ireland.

New York City: Spend Monday, Sept. 2, getting some exercise and education at the same time. At the Labor Day Historical Walking Tour, you’ll learn about immigrant and labor history as you explore downtown NYC.